KITTITAS COUNTY, Wash. — The suspect in the shooting death of Kittitas County Deputy Ryan Thompson Tuesday night was "unlawfully present in the United States," according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
In a statement, ICE officials said Juan Manuel Del Toro entered the U.S. from Mexico on April 11, 2014 through a Laredo, Texas Port of Entry on a temporary agricultural worker visa. ICE officials said they have no record of Flores Del Toro leaving the U.S. or extending his visa after it expired.
Kittitas Police Officer Benito Chavez was wounded in the shooting and is recovering at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.
Around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, the two tried to stop a vehicle in the Badger Pocket area of Kittitas County due to a road rage call and the suspect’s erratic driving.
After a short pursuit, the suspect's vehicle came to a stop at the end of Pierce Street. The driver got out and fired at the deputy and officer, who returned fire.
Deputy Thompson suffered a fatal gunshot wound and was pronounced dead at Kittitas Valley Hospital.
The bullet that hit Officer Chavez shattered his femur. Officer Chavez is in satisfactory condition and after surgery, according to officials at Harborview.
Flores Del Toro was shot and was taken to Kittitas Valley Hospital where he later died.
Law enforcement has not said why the suspect failed to stop for police and started firing at authorities.
Investigators are currently seeking out and interviewing people who knew the suspect. At this point, Chief Wade said there is no "firm" information on what prompted the shooting.
It is currently believed that neither Deputy Thompson nor Officer Chavez were aware the suspect had a gun.
The full investigation could take weeks or months to complete.
Anyone who witnessed the road rage incident is asked to call Ellensburg police at 509-962-7280